Bruce Springsteen is no mere musical entertainer, argues a new biography. The Boss is a multidimensional American cultural phenomenon—broken-soul mender, community-builder, proletarian troubadour, political preacher and marketing juggernaut all in one.

Bee Wilson’s history of the fork—and other kitchen appurtenances—shows us that we are how we eat as well as what we eat. Culinary tools have reflected cultural dispositions in surprising ways, and continue to do so to this very day.